Long Beach Public Library Foundation

To Restore Civil Society, Start With the Library – New York Times Op-ed

To Restore Civil Society, Start With the Library – New York Times Op-ed

“The founding principle of the public library — that all people deserve free, open access to our shared culture and heritage…” writes NYU’s Institute for Public Knowledge Director Eric Klinenberg in his September 8, 2018 op-ed for the New York Times.

In his article, “To Restore Civil Society, Start With the Library,” Klinenberg challenges the notion that libraries are obsolete. He points out that, “According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, about half of all Americans ages 16 and over used a public library in the past year, and two-thirds say that closing their local branch would have a ‘major impact on their community.’” Despite this, public libraries are often restricted with tighter and tighter budgets making it difficult for these centers of learning and community building across the country to meet the many needs of families, children, students, older people, veterans, the disabled, and everyone else who depends on the Library.

Read Klinenberg’s full op-ed at nyti.ms/2x1kpLv.
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In 1996, the Long Beach Public Library Foundation began with a mission to provide support to enhance Long Beach Public Libraries and encourage literacy and education for all members of the community. We carry that vision with us to this day.

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